The People

Goa has a large number
of villages. Many changes have
taken place in the state with tourism and export. The Goan could be either a
Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim although the general impression by using the term Goan is
that the person is a Christian. Christianity came to Goa along with the
Portuguese.

Language and Religion

Konkani is the official language of Goa which is written in Devanagri
script. The other main languages spoken in the state are Marathi, Kannada
and Urdu. Gujarati and Hindi are also spoken by a considerable number
of population of the state.

Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are the three major
religions followed in Goa. There were also Sikhs, Buddhists and
Jains.

The people of Goa are among the friendliest.
The social outlook of the Goan
is different. They love their music and simple musical instruments. The
Goans work as musicians in restaurants and hotels and bars across the country
and abroad because music comes naturally to the people and becomes part and
parcel of their life.

The festivals are also musical
in nature and a great deal of dance, forms part of
the carnivals which are celebrated on special occasions. An extravaganza of
music and dance lasting several hours is witnessed by the people of Goa
and the tourists who throng the state all the year round. The people
of Goa are also excellent cooks and some of them are regular employees of some
famous restaurant in India and abroad. Catering, dance and music combined with
big business like production and export of iron ore and owning of ocean
going ships are facets of the life of the people of Goa.

The Hindu tradition is equally strong and the villages
and towns of the state reverberate with the sound of temple bells
and the drums being beaten at the time of the worship in the morning,
noon and evening. Goa is thus a state of Hindus and Christians.
Here Konkani language is held in much reverence although Marathi is spoken
and understand by many people.